Crossroads: The Psychology of Immigration in the New Century

necessarily fit typical definitions of need (Burke & Lopez,
2009; Kirkbride & Jones, 2010).
There is also an increased risk of interpersonal trauma among
immigrants with disabilities. For example, women and
children with disabilities are 3 times as likely to have been
sexually assaulted when compared with their peers without
disabilities (Saxton, 2005). Abuse of people with disabilities
can include neglect; interpersonal violence; prostitution;
mercy killing; forced beggaring; social isolation; genderspecific
violence; and condemnation to dangerous facilities,
travel, and institutions (H. Brown, 2002). All contribute to
mental health problems and further stigmatization.
Some studies have noted the importance of social support
in coping with anxiety among immigrants with disabilities
(Jarama, Reyst, Rodriguez, Belgrave, & Zea, 1998), with
immigrants more likely than U.S.-born individuals to
stigmatize disabilities (Saetermoe, Scattone, & Kim, 2001).
Banks (2003) has noted the difficulties for families coping
with disability and the ways in which sociocultural factors
shape how family members conceptualize the meaning
of disability. Research on immigrants with disabilities
should seek to clarify the intersections of identification
across different minority cultural groups, unique ways of
approaching disability within specific immigrant communities,
and pathways to social support and culturally competent
mental health care.
In Conclusion
The populations noted here face unique sets of challenges
as they navigate their way into their new land. Many of
their needs are unrecognized and as such may go untreated.
Researchers should seek to document the specific needs of
these underserved groups and work to develop appropriate
interventions to suit these needs.
Populations Facing Unique Challenges
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